https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:19:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654282 Tue, 03 May 2016 12:27:52 +0000 Anonymous 1654282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agreed. &nbsp;I will continue to wear the jeans, but I will pair them with a beautiful silk blouse that I will semi-tuck. &nbsp;I will also continue to wear the tee shirts, but I will pair them with my dress slacks. &nbsp;Both ensembles will feature good shoes and statement jewelry. &nbsp;Yay. &nbsp;A solution. &nbsp;Thank you all. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654253 Tue, 03 May 2016 10:49:32 +0000 lyn67 1654253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida has put the finger on. I think &nbsp;both JEANS AND a TEE is the one considered TOO CASUAL for some work environments(esp.offices). But you can keep one of these 2 elements &nbsp;and change the other for a more dressy options, that's all!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654248 Tue, 03 May 2016 10:41:37 +0000 Lucy 1654248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many great ideas here! <br />As I said in another post, my current job is pretty dressy. In my previous jobs I tried to only wear one more casual piece, i.e. jeans and a dressier top or jacket; or a soft knit tee with a dressier skirt. This meant i could mix and match a lot from my weekend wardrobe, but I never felt too dressed down. Also as Ally said above, lovely accessories, especially shoes, can take it up a notch (though not too high of course!)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654233 Tue, 03 May 2016 09:37:42 +0000 aly 1654233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting. I would also consider the use of accessories. I have been moving away from shirts with collars and find I need a belt to feel presentable - a few years ago, I did not own a single belt. Coordinating (not necessarily matching, just thinking about how they work together) shoes, glasses, belt, hair clips/styles etc all seem to help create a "polished" or "deliberate" appearance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654165 Tue, 03 May 2016 03:01:56 +0000 anne 1654165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is all interesting to me, since I never (am not allowed) to wear jeans to work, apart from on Fridays. I would not wear a linen tee, but I agree that a silk one is ok - more like a blouse.</p> <p>I would wear the types of tops that liz posted though, and&nbsp;the first three &nbsp;of unfrumpeds.</p> <p>Mind you, it is clear to me that my working environment is far more formal than many in YLF.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654141 Tue, 03 May 2016 02:20:57 +0000 Aida 1654141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting that many of you would nix jeans but keep the tees; I find tees feel far more casual and not-worky than jeans (of course jeans feel casual as well) and I'd much rather nix tees and keep jeans. Switching from knit tees to woven blouses makes a huge different. Sterling, a button down shirt even if untucked is certainly less casual than a tee. I think it's a good first step </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1654129 Tue, 03 May 2016 02:03:07 +0000 Beth Ann 1654129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Making the shift to mostly woven tops made all the difference for me! &nbsp;I think you might find that jackets with stretch (in moto or blazer stylings) might work well over your current tees --particularly the nicer linen ones. &nbsp;I'm a fan of unlined jackets -- especially in ponte. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653981 Mon, 02 May 2016 20:39:08 +0000 unfrumped 1653981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is hard with the lines are blurry and even business casual is hard to define.</p> <p>i do think an untucked button-front shirt and jeans <u>togther</u> are pretty casual. </p> <p>I have some blouses that I wear untucked but that I feel look dressier than the standard buttton-down. These might have no button or half-placket and sometimes still have a curved shirttail hem which I really like, but because of not having a full placket, I think it looks more intentional to not-tuck. Might just be in my imagination, though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653948 Mon, 02 May 2016 19:44:13 +0000 Anonymous 1653948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question, <b>Barbara Diane.</b> &nbsp;I am actually dressed more casually <i>for me. &nbsp;</i>A couple of years ago, my work uniform consisted of dress slacks and a button down blouse. &nbsp;When casualization hit, I started revamping the way I dressed at work as well. &nbsp;I first added tee shirts with my dress slacks. &nbsp;I found I quite liked it. &nbsp;Then I added saturated blue denim to the mix (with the tee shirts). &nbsp;</p> <p>I should say that no one in management has commented. &nbsp;It is merely my coworkers that noticed and commented. &nbsp;That made me feel self conscious. &nbsp;I don't want to go all the way back to my "work uniform," but I do want to find some middle ground. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653943 Mon, 02 May 2016 19:37:05 +0000 El Cee 1653943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you regarding <b>"When did dressing for work become hard? It used to be second nature."&nbsp;</b>For me, personally, it was far easier to decide what to wear to work when there were clearer, more formal dress codes and less overlap between my business and casual wardrobes. When I worked in hospitals and very formal corporate offices I had my "uniform" of sorts. I am a good rule follower… so it was easy-peasy. I think you have a good strategy of replacing tees with something a little more structured (button down shirts and other woven tops) or dressier knits (some of the items Carter suggested). I personally think it looks perfectly fine and professional to leave a crisp button down shirt untucked -- especially if it is a more tailored style. (And I recall you have some really nice ones.) That is how I prefer to wear mine as, on me, tucking looks sloppy and unflattering… and leads to a lot of wrinkling and discomfort. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653897 Mon, 02 May 2016 19:01:35 +0000 Barbara Diane 1653897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, I'm curious. Are you dressed more casual than the norm there, or just more casual than people are used to you dressing? I think people comment when someone's norm changes, no matter whether it works for the environment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653888 Mon, 02 May 2016 18:45:19 +0000 Carla 1653888@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting...I couldn't&nbsp;do jeans, except on (casual) Friday, and then they are either a 'dressy' dark wash or white (and not frayed!)</p> <p>On the other hand, I can get away with&nbsp; t-shirts and the juxtaposition of a flannel shirt, a jean or chambray shirt, and a jean jacket - with a dressy skirt and&nbsp;work appropriate shoes&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653857 Mon, 02 May 2016 17:06:00 +0000 Anonymous 1653857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Carter -- I did buy some of the tops you suggested. &nbsp;Thank you for that, by the way. &nbsp;</p> <p>I guess what I was saying is that I still resort to the old comfortable standby (lazy). &nbsp;I need to revise my thinking process. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653785 Mon, 02 May 2016 14:07:37 +0000 JAileen 1653785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I needed longer tops for our dance class, and bought some drapey scoop neck 3/4 sleeve tops. For some reason they seem dressier. I really like the sleeve length. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653783 Mon, 02 May 2016 14:07:23 +0000 Diana 1653783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pop a blazer over the tee. (Even a knit one looks dressy.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653782 Mon, 02 May 2016 14:07:01 +0000 carter 1653782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>None of the sleeveless tops we talked about in another post worked for you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653778 Mon, 02 May 2016 14:00:55 +0000 Angie 1653778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you tried semi tucking a button down shirt and adding a belt?&nbsp;</p> <p>As others have said, you can consider alternative styles of knitted tops and blouses. There is LOTS of scope between a tee and shirt.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653775 Mon, 02 May 2016 13:57:21 +0000 catseye 1653775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Linen tees reads very casual to me. But silk or silky woven tee is just a short sleeve blouse. They can be very comfortable.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think dark wash jeans can be dressy enough if not paired with t-shirts, particularly if you wear a blazer.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ponte pants are not created equal. Most of them are very casual to my eyes, particularly paired with tees and cardigans. &nbsp;</p> <p>I think the key is to not go casual both top and bottom.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653768 Mon, 02 May 2016 13:46:12 +0000 Anonymous 1653768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think an untucked button down is still far dressier than any t-shirt.<br /> There is also the option of sweater-tshirts, but I'm guessing they're too hot for your climate...</p> <p>I'm finding a similar issue at work : That it doesn't matter how current and trendy I am, if I am not dressed up enough at work, there is a feeling of being underdressed that I can't shake. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653733 Mon, 02 May 2016 12:32:25 +0000 Liz 1653733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As lyn said, there are all sorts of knitted tops that don't look like t-shirts, but are just as comfortable as t-shirts. See the finds below for a couple of examples.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653728 Mon, 02 May 2016 12:14:20 +0000 lyn67 1653728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hate button downs, but that's only me:-).<br />I wear certain tees all the time (esp.linen uni colored, but hi-low cut, mix-media or interesting &nbsp;double layered (for ex. with a fine graphic mesh) and I wear them esp. topped with blazers, longer cardis or other jackets for my office and never &nbsp;received comments. &nbsp;BUT I don't wear blue jeans at all!! (I have only white jeans or black waxed &nbsp;jeans for work). <br />Another great option &nbsp;are knitted tops of all sorts.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653724 Mon, 02 May 2016 12:04:10 +0000 RobinF 1653724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was thinking like CocoC, maybe you could swap out the jeans instead of the tee. Still feel casual but not look as much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653717 Mon, 02 May 2016 11:17:03 +0000 Anonymous 1653717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried this with linen tee shirts. &nbsp;I thought I looked fabulous, but my friends still saw "tee shirt." &nbsp;I will continue to experiment because tee shirts are such a comfortable option in my life. &nbsp;I could stop listening to my friends as well (but that is hard for me). &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653713 Mon, 02 May 2016 11:01:06 +0000 Cococat 1653713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that tees can look more 'dressed up' with tailored pants and certain accessories. I like the idea of silk or linen tees too. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653711 Mon, 02 May 2016 10:53:31 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1653711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Silk tee shirts are nice for summer and look good tucked or not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/banning-casual-clothes-from-work#post-1653695 Mon, 02 May 2016 09:28:37 +0000 Anonymous 1653695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I commented in the past that I had really embraced the concept of casualization, but I feared I took it too far at work. &nbsp;Sure, <i>I</i> knew I was trending, but a lot of coworkers saw me as wearing jeans/ponte pants and a tee shirt. &nbsp;Yes. &nbsp;Several have commented. &nbsp;</p> <p>So I am transitioning. &nbsp;The first phase of my transition is to <u>stop wearing tee shirts at work</u>. &nbsp;No more tee shirts. &nbsp;I am substituting button down shirts for the tee shirts. &nbsp;But I am not tucking the button down shirts in. &nbsp;They look funny tucked in. &nbsp;I am wondering if the untucked button down shirt isn't just another version of a tee shirt? &nbsp; Sigh. &nbsp;When did dressing for work become hard? &nbsp;It used to be second nature. &nbsp; </p>